There is hope yet

When I was in my teens and early twenties I thought I should write a book. I even started writing one. But then I had an attack of the doubts; I would never be a good enough writer.


But then I saw this line yesterday, and I was hopeful like the most hopeful person you could ever imagine.

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And now, for something completely new...

I've been wondering recently if that if I'm backing myself into a corner and becoming too niche. There are a lot of sewers out there but my patterns are really just reaching the one's with toddler girls. So a little experiment from me... Remember this bag? I think this is going to be my next pattern. I've been working on it the last couple of days and should be completely done with the tutorial by the end of the weekend. There are two different sizes, and you would need a maximum of a yard of outer and lining fabric, a 14" or 12" zipper, an 8" zipper, and two metal rings. So, anyone want to test it? It'll be a pdf so I'm not going to show the slightest preference to UK people this time. Even if you don't want to test, I be interested in hearing what you think about dipping my toe into the accessories market!

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They've replied! Kinda.

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I'll take what I can get

If I hear anyone saying that big corporations don't have the personal touch anymore, I'm going to give tell them to talk to the hand. So. not. true. Just look:


Can you believe that personal touch? My grocery store noticed I've been away and have taken the time to email me! Great customer service cannot be ignored.

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Tutorial: Fleece mittens with separate thumb

When I wanted to make some mittens for the kids, I found a lot of tutorials for two piece (front and back) mittens with the thumb to the side but no tutorials for mittens with an opposable thumb piece. It does take a teensy bit longer, but I prefer the shape and think it probably offers a greater range of motion for grasping things like scooter handlebars. So here goes, please make some!

1. Prepare your pattern pieces. These specific dimensions fit both my 2 year old and four year old. You should be able to click on the picture and print to the actual scale, but if not the dimensions are roughly 6.25 inches tall, 3.75 inches wide with a rounded top and a slight narrowing 1.5 inches from the bottom, with a thumb that's just under 2 inches tall and 1.75 inches wide with a rounded edge and set in half an inch. There are 1 inch squares below each piece to check if it has printed to scale. By increasing the scaling you should be able to make them for bigger kids / adults too as the proportions stay the same.The white mitten to the left is the back piece. Where it is shaded blue in the middle picture is the bottom piece. The red section of the picture on the right is the top piece. The thumbs are the same size, and the slight overlap of top and bottom pieces form the seam allowance so that when they are sewn together, the resulting piece is the same size as the back piece. Awfully wordy, but it makes sense! Seam allowances are .25 inches. Okay, now to the easy bit...
   
2. Cut two backs, two bottoms and two tops. It's easier if you cut on folded over (double layer) fabric so you automatically get left and right, but if you're doing one at a time make sure you flip the pieces over so you don't end up with two lefts or two rights!
3. Right sides facing, put the top and bottom pieces together so the thumbs are lying on top of each other and pin the layers together. You're going to stitch along the blue line, pivoting on either side of the thumb.
4. Once it is sewn, trim the excess close to the seam to reduce bulk. NB. This is possible because I'm using fleece / knit. If you're using a woven be careful not to cut too close to the stitch line because it might pull out. Consider overcasting with a small zigzag after trimming to make more secure.
5. Cut two small lengths of quarter inch elastic to attach to the narrowest bit at the wrist. The pattern is 3.25 inches, and I cut the elastic 2.75 inches each as my son's wrists are 5 inches around. Tight enough not to fall off, but doesn't cut into him either. Where it narrows, stitch one end of the elastic to the wrong side of the fleece, going back and forth several times to secure. Make sure you secure it about 3/8" in from the edge as you don't want to trim off the stitching later!
6. Fold the mitten so you can repeat the process on the other side.
7. Switch to a wide zigzag (I use 5.0 width and 4.0 length) and stitch over the elastic, with one side landing to the right of the elastic and one side to the left (i.e. no actual stitching hit the elastic). Stretch the elastic taut as you go.
8. After you are done, this is what it'll look like:
9. Repeat the process to the back piece, securing the elastic to the wrong side.
10. Right sides facing, put your front piece on top of the back piece so the thumb is to the middle. Matching at the hem, at the elasticated wrist, and along the top curve, pin the layers together. Stitch from one bottom corner around to the other bottom corner.
11. Trim close to the stitch line to reduce bulk but make sure you don't cut any of the stitches that secure the elastic!
12. Turn the raw edges at the bottom up a quarter inch, pin and hem.
13. Find a child and a scooter and you're done!

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Because the lady has to coordinate

Both pairs of Maia's gloves were part of the lengthly list of Things Forgotten in the States but with continued freezing weather and more snow today, I drafted a pattern last night and promptly sewed up a pair of pink fleece ones to match her hat and scarf.

The early riser had first modelling duties this morning to show the snazzy opposable thumbs...

Essential for scootering.

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Using calculus to make a hoof

Dear High School Maths teacher

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you that you were totally right. I do use advanced mathematics as an adult. Only yesterday, I used some serious calculations to draft the feet portion of my adult footy pajamas:

And, yes, I emphatically will make you a pair of footy pajamas. But first I was hoping that you could give me the address of Mr Chicester, the physiology teacher? Because while your fantastic mathematics instruction means I am perfectly capable of drafting the feet portion of the pattern, Mr Chichester totally let the side down by not drumming into me that feet are not the same shape as hooves. Rest assured, he won't be getting quite so nice a letter as you.

Best wishes

Amanda

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